(IPYS/IFEX) – On the morning of 23 May 2004, members of the daily “La Verdad”‘s and the Globovisión television station’s news teams were detained for two hours by the military. The incident occurred while the journalists were reporting on events at the Maracaibo University Hospital, in Zulia state, northwestern Venezuela. Journalist José Gregorio Meza, “La […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On the morning of 23 May 2004, members of the daily “La Verdad”‘s and the Globovisión television station’s news teams were detained for two hours by the military. The incident occurred while the journalists were reporting on events at the Maracaibo University Hospital, in Zulia state, northwestern Venezuela.
Journalist José Gregorio Meza, “La Verdad”‘s news director, told IPYS that journalist Dariana Bracho and photojournalist Rolando Paz were reporting on the fact that individuals presumed to be Colombian paramilitaries were being treated at the hospital, after having been injured in a 21 May confrontation that took place on the border between Zulia state and Colombia. A Globovisión news team, led by journalist Heidy Osechas, was also at the scene.
The journalists were able to confirm that two of the presumed paramilitary members were at the hospital and were being guarded by National Army soldiers. When the soldiers realised that they were reporters, they surrounded them. A general named González told the journalists that they had to leave immediately and accompany him to go see General Wilfredo Silva, commmander of the Zulia state garrison.
The officers provided no explanation for their actions. Moreover, they seized two videocassettes from the Globovisión camera operator, which were not returned to the station.
Bracho was able to inform “La Verdad”‘s editorial team and other media outlets about what was happening by calling them on his mobile phone. Some time later, other news crews arrived at the scene and the military left the area, releasing the journalists they had detained for two hours.
